Three kittens went from hiding under a house to having a father-like cat who shows them the way.
FosterBabyCats
A few weeks ago, three kittens were discovered hiding beneath a neighbor's porch.
Jillian, founder of FosterBabyCats, a local cat rescue, was alerted to the situation. As soon as she arrived, she got to work. The mother cat was nowhere to be found, and one of the kittens was thin and clearly needed help.
With the neighbor's blessing, Jillian and her friend carefully dismantled part of the porch to reach the frightened trio.
The kittens were found hiding under a porchFosterBabyCats
It took patience, teamwork, and a little creativity. The neighbor's granddaughter coaxed one kitten out by mimicking the soft mews of a mother cat. "It was such a good group of people, and I'm so grateful for all the positive attitudes," Jillian shared.
The kittens huddled in a corner of the carrier, scared, confused, and completely unaware that their lives were about to change for the better.
They were scared and confused, huddled together in the carrierFosterBabyCats
Once in foster care, Jillian noticed two of the kittens were especially feisty, "greeting" her with hisses and spitting fits. "They are spicy, while the third is smaller and less developed but friendly."
Though all three were dehydrated and underweight, they were healthy and finally safe.
Two of the kittens "greeted" their foster mom with hisses and spitting fitsFosterBabyCats
Keeping a quiet watch just outside their pen was Dakota, the resident orange cat. Once a stray himself, he had long since traded street life for soft beds and sunlit naps.
He has become Jillian's constant shadow, taking it upon himself to help care for the kittens that come through the door. Wherever there are little ones, he is never far behind.
FosterBabyCats
The tiniest kitten quickly adjusted to his new surroundings. He welcomed gentle pets and even discovered his purr engine. His two siblings were slower to trust, with one being extra grumbly. Sensing their needs, Dakota stepped in like a seasoned foster dad.
He watched as the kittens tumbled and played, and when they finally tired out, he approached and began grooming them, just like a mother cat would.
Dakota took the kittens under his wingFosterBabyCats
"He really is such a good helper when he's able to rein in his big orange kitten energy."
Despite weeks of searching, there's been no sign of the mother cat. In her absence, Dakota has stepped into the role beautifully. "It has to be so comforting to have someone groom them again."
He quickly took on the role of foster dadFosterBabyCats
The tabby cat began offering "lessons" to his pupils. Their first was a tutorial on how to master a food puzzle. The kittens watched intently as he expertly fished out the treats, crunching each one with satisfaction. Then, they gave it a try themselves.
Next came the tower track toy. Dakota gave a spirited demo while the kittens looked on like his little proteges.
He shows them the ropes and teaches them how to playFosterBabyCats
He takes great pride in his work, showering the kittens with affection and making sure not a single face goes un-groomed. The kittens, in turn, adore his visits, pouncing on his paws, swatting at his tail, and pestering him with nonstop antics.
"He has a favorite, and it's the middle boy. He chomped Dakota's tail one too many times and ended up in timeout (with a mandatory bath)."
He gave a kitten a mandatory bathFosterBabyCats
The trio arrived scared and unsure of the world around them, but thanks to a devoted foster mom and her loyal orange sidekick, they have found courage, comfort, and more love than they ever knew existed.
FosterBabyCats
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